How to Know if You Need an Orthopedic Doctor

If you are searching for qualified orthopedic doctors in Panama City FL area you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. The choice of an orthopedic doctor is so important, yet can be so confusing. Orthopedic doctors specialize in surgery of our bones. Common procedures include total hip, knee or shoulder replacements. An experienced and competent orthopedic doctor will know how to best treat your particular injury or problem. Sometimes our bones break due to a fall or other accident. There are also many diseases and conditions that may cause our joints to weaken. You may be in pain constantly if you are being affected by a bone problem. There is help available for you.

One of the most common bone and joint disorders is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can happen when the cartilage part of your joint begins to deteriorate. Cartilage is the strong connective tissue that allows your joints to move freely. If this cartilage goes away, you have what is called bone on bone. This is an extremely painful condition. A common joint affected by this disorder is the hip. The hip is one of the largest joints in the body and must be strong enough to bear our weight and to help up stand and walk. When the cartilage is worn away, it becomes very difficult to stand and walk. You will also notice a stiffness in the movement of this joint. You will be affected by this problem in every area of your life. The simplest acts of standing and walking will become painful. You may begin to avoid being in situations where you need to do a lot of walking, such as exercising or shopping. You may find yourself staying at home more and more.

There is no way at the present time to totally replace your cartilage once it is gone. The most common solution is total joint replacement. Your orthopedic surgeon will be able to advise you on whether or not total joint replacement is a good option for you. Please be aware that joint replacement is considered major surgery and does carry risks. Your doctor will be able to inform you about the risks as well as the benefits of joint replacement.Click here for more info